Genesis tops RSL development pipeline survey

Genesis had the largest pipeline of homes in the planning pipeline last year according to exclusive new research from Glenigan. The study covers detailed applications of 10 or more units submitted in 2016 and Genesis submitted plans to build 1,731 units according to Glenigan’s research ahead of London & Quadrant with a pipeline of 1,649 units. L&Q’s pipeline has doubled from 886 units in 2015, while there has also been substantial growth in the planning pipeline at the Peabody Trust, where the number of detailed units in the planning pipeline has risen from 507 in 2015 to 1,388 last year. Glenigan economics director Allan Wilén commented: “The Government’s decision to defer the extension of the “Right to Buy” to housing association tenants appears to have encouraged associations to bring forward new projects.” The Peabody Trust also submitted plans for a further 768 units in outline planning applications on top of the 1,388 homes in detailed proposals, giving the PT an overall pipeline of 2,156 units. Some RSLs also saw a contraction in their planning pipeline with the number of new-build units entering the planning system at the detailed stage at Notting Hill falling to 669 from 970 in 2015. The study also highlights significant differences in the types of new-build social housing being planned by the country’s biggest RSLs. Of the 1,731 units proposed by Genesis Housing Association, 63% were for some form of house and the balance apartments. In contrast, just 16% of the units proposed at the detailed stage by London & Quadrant were for houses and only 24% of units were houses at the Peabody Trust. However, the position of RSLs within the wider construction industry is put in the Glenigan’s latest rankings of the industry’s biggest clients. The top 100 ranking for the 12 months to Q2 2017 only includes five RSLs. This ranking, which requires RSLs to have let three or more contracts in the 12 months to date, has Metropolitan Housing Partnership ranked highest in 38th place after letting £189.5 million-worth of work ahead of the Peabody Trust in 41st after awarding £181.1 million-worth of contracts. Noting Hill is ranked 54th with spending of £164.2 million, London & Quadrant is in 80th place after placing £107.4 million-worth of work and Genesis squeezes into the top 100in 87th place with awards totalling £102.5 million. Genesis appears to be building out bigger projects with the average scheme valued at £34.2 million ahead of Notting Hill on £18.2 million. The average Metropolitan HP project to go to main contract award in 2016 was worth £17.3 million according to Glenigan, while Peabody Trust was building smaller schemes valued at £15.1 million ahead of London & Quadrant on £10.7 million.